Harald Sæverud, a Norwegian composer, was known for his distinctive musical idiom, which the English conductor Sir John Barbirolli noted was unmistakable.
Performer Biography
Einar Steen-Nøkleberg, the Norwegian pianist on this recording, was appointed a Knight of St Olav by the King of Norway for his contributions to Norwegian music.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Sæverud found support for his musical preferences in the historical music tradition, often citing Mozart and Haydn as his most important influences.
Composer Biography
Sæverud's formal music education included studies at the Music Academy in Bergen and further periods of study in Berlin (1920-21) and Paris (1925).
Composer's Artistic Vision
Sæverud consciously suffered from being born on the site of a former churchyard and Viking execution place, which he believed gave his art an underlying sombre quality.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Sæverud stated that all his music grew from a "vague and supernatural sound," specifically the invisible fluttering of owls' wings he heard as a fourteen-year-old.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Sæverud believed that motifs came to his mind like wild flowers and weeds, and he, as the composer, could only be their guiding gardener.
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